Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6
Duration: 1 year
Why Study a Foundation Apprenticeship?
Who Can Apply?
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) in Social Services and Healthcare is for pupils staying on at school. You can choose an FA as one of your subjects in S5 or S6.
Entry Requirements
- Good level of written/spoken English (level 5 Literacy or Nat 5 English)
- Committed and flexible
- Ability to work with others
- Ability to problem solve
Qualifications Gained
- National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6.
- Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6. (mandatory units only).
Participant's viewpoint
The Health and Social Care FA is giving me the opportunity to meet many different people included in this sector. It has taught me about the level of respect both employees and employers must have when working in this sector.
During this course you will learn…
National Progression Award in Social Services and Healthcare
- Social Services in Scotland
- Safeguarding People
- Communication in Care Relationships
- Safe Practice and Wellbeing in Social Services
- Human Development and Social Influences
Mandatory Units from the SVQ Level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare
- Support Effective Communication
- Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
- Develop your own knowledge and practice
- Support the safeguarding of individuals
Work Placement
A key aspect of this course is participation in a Work Placement. These placements can either be self-found or support can be given by Aberdeenshire Council’s Work Placement Unit.
Placements in this framework have included:
NHS Grampian (Vaccination Clinics)
Local Care Homes
Forget Me Not Club
The Boyndie Trust Ltd
Placements are sourced as close to school or home as possible to minimise disruption, global footprint and costs. Public transport or walking is preferred. If other transport is required, support will be provided by Aberdeenshire Council if necessary.
You could work in areas like:
- Adult or children's nurse
- Care assistant
- Care home manager
- Residential support worker
- Social worker
People are at the heart of healthcare and social services. If you have a passion for improving lives and helping others, a career in this rewarding field could be for you.
A Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare helps you prepare for a wide range of different care roles.
Over 161,000 people are currently employed by NHS Scotland. The number of jobs are still growing, and there are great opportunities for progression, too.
Aberdeenshire Council Delivery
This course may be delivered by Aberdeenshire Council Specialist FA Trainers or in conjunction with a local external provider.
Meta-skills
Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop core skills valued by employers, particularly:
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Working with others
- Time management
These transferable skills are necessary and highly desirable for working in a range of other related jobs.
To achieve your qualification you will:
Attend class each week
Be committed to learning new things and completing your work within a given timescale
Learn more about meta-skills here
What can I go on to next?
- University: you can continue your studies at college or university and work towards a Higher National Certificate or Diploma or Degree. This course is a particularly good entry route for all the health-related courses including nursing, paramedic, physiotherapy, midwifery etc. It is also excellent preparation for Medicine and Dentistry but for these subjects must be taken in S6 not S5.
- You can gain entry to the Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 7.
- You could go straight into a job in the healthcare sector as a support worker.
Case Study
Health and Social Care Aberdeenshire Council Foundation Apprenticeship: Abbie’s Story
How To Apply
Your school will have Foundation Apprenticeships on your course choice form. If it is on the list, tick the right box, after discussing with your Guidance Teacher if necessary.
If you do not see it there, see either your Guidance Teacher or Depute Head to discuss.
